Call it Mod, call it the
Swinging London — the sixties are alive once again in Saint Laurent’s latest advertising
campaign for the fall/winter 2014 season.

Captured by Creative Director Hedi
Slimane himself, the series of black and white photographs – a concept that has
been synonymous with the brand – were shot in Los Angeles.

For the campaign, model
Valery Kaufman was roped in as Slimane’s muse for the season.

The fresh faced
Russian model whose working portfolio includes fashion editorial stints in the
Russian and Brazilian editions of Vogue, ID Magazine, as well as several haute couture runway stints for grandiose
fashion maisons such as Christian Dior, Valentino and Armani Privé, was immaculately transformed into
a modern day reinterpretation of the Swinging London icon and British
supermodel Jean Shrimpton.

Utilising Mr. Elevator
& The Brain Hotel’s song entitled “When the Morning Greets You with a Smile”
as the soundtrack of the shoot, Kaufman delivered a stunning performance as she
channelled out the inner Shrimpton inside her.

Graceful and effortless, Kaufman
brought out the soul of the pieces to life, evoking beautiful nostalgia. Her
eyes were heavily lined with kohl while her hair was fringed at the front to recreate
that graceful 60s look.

Like homage to the chic
days of Mod, most of the fall/winter 2014 pieces are richly drenched in sequins
and pailettes with clean lines and girlish approach.

Velvety long-sleeved dress
with cuffed sleeves and Peter Pan collar, harking back to the classic British boarding
school days are amplified with rosette-like bejewelled buttons on both cuffs
and the plackets.

On the other hand, fur coat – the utmost epitome of luxury –
is given a rock n’ roll treatment with bold white stripes or large white polka
dots over shiny, jet black milieu with soft yet rich texture on the surface.

To kill
the chill of winter, seductive ensembles such as buttery soft leather biker
jacket and matching skirt, double breasted overcoat, gilded belted jacket
inspired by those of the Mod-era, and also fur coats in leopard print are the
perfect pieces to put on.

Capturing images for
Saint Laurent advertising campaigns aside, Hedi Slimane’s, who is also an accomplished photographer, had his photographic works featured in prominent fashion publications such as several international
editions of Vogue, Elle, ID and V Magazine, just to name a few.

Slimane also
photographed actress Angelina Jolie who appeared on the cover as well as
fashion spread in the June issue of Elle, both US and selected international
editions.

In the issue, which also featured monochromatic mood with minimal background, Jolie was dressed from head to toe in selected pieces
from Slimane’s spring/summer 2014 collection for Saint Laurent.

EDITOR'S LOVE LETTER

One month from now, Christmas will be upon us, followed by New Year. Again, shopping malls and stores are literally screaming, “’Tis the season to go shopping!”

If in the previous years, our choices were limited to four collections – spring/summer, pre-fall, fall/winter and cruise - per year, the recent years have seen quite a surprising change. Spring has been separated from summer into a distinctive collection and same goes to winter – on its own. Overall, there are FIVE collections in a year! Does this mean yay or nay?

To the retailers, it is a certain 'yay' because it will lead to greater profit generation. To fashionistas who are always hungry for new clothes, it also means a huge ‘yay’ as they can keep on hunting for what’s new every day of the week. But what about fashionistas who are into fashion but lag behind when it comes to the finance part? A really tough situation, I suppose.

In this kind of situation, most fashionistas are torn between ready-to-wear and the accessories. To the accessories camp, accessories are worth investing in as they are not prone to seasons.

Take Birkin for instance. Regardless of what year or season, a black alligator hide 50cm Birkin in glossy finish is always relevant and goes well with anything, even in the next thousand years to come. So is Céline Luggage bag by Phoebe Philo that not only practical but also stands the test of time. Safe-keep them well and they can be the best heirlooms any girl could ask for.

While ready-to-wear is never a man’s problem, since menswear silhouettes and looks remain much the same season after season, the problem is more obvious with women.

Being season prone, many smart shoppers opt to stick with iconic or permanent pieces. Not only they are forever relevant but most importantly, they often last for a lifetime! Yet, there is a downside to it, if you were cash-strapped: They cost more than seasonal pieces. Furthermore, do not expect them to be seen on the sale rack once the season ends.

Speaking of permanent pieces, one of my favourite permanent or iconic looks that can be worn from day to night is the wrap dress by Diane von Furstenberg. Simple yet sexy, practical yet chic, the wrap dress has stood the test of time since it was first produced in the 1970s.

Furthermore, its appeal also lies in one fact every chic woman embrace: A wrap dress does not bring out the je ne sais quoi of a French woman or the cosmopolitan elegance of a New Yorker in you. Instead, it enhances your femininity, regardless of your age, your race, or your social background. Just as true as its creator once said, “Feel like a woman, wear a dress.”

So, no matter what your choice is, always remember that comfort is the main key to happiness and satisfaction. After all, having to walk and pose in pain for that bandage dress can be a waste of time, dear!

From me and Fashion Heaven Rants, wishing you a very chic Merry Christmas ahead!

Beaucoup d’Amour

Shaiful

WHO WEAR WHAT?

Sharon Stone seen with Mademoiselle Longchamp bag at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)